Australia and sanctions

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Listing pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001)

The Australian Government has listed Soheyb Laraibi for counter-terrorism targeted financial sanctions. This listing implements Australia's obligations under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1373 (2001) to suppress the financing of terrorism. The listing makes it an offence to use or deal with the assets of, or to make an asset available to, Soheyb Laraibi.

Full details of all listed persons and entities can be found in the Consolidated List.

Central African Republic sanctions

On 9 April 2019, the Government amended the Charter of the United Nations (Sanctions – Central African Republic) Regulation 2014 (the Regulations) to give effect to certain provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2399 (2018). UNSCR 2399 (2018), affirmed by UNSCR 2454 (2019), continues the arms embargo that is in place for the Central African Republic (CAR). The amendments to the Regulations update the exemptions to the arms embargo for the CAR.

New listings under Australia’s autonomous sanctions regime in relation to Ukraine

On 16 March 2019 the Minister for Foreign Affairs imposed new targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on seven Russian individuals for their role in the interception and seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels that were attempting to pass through the Kerch Strait.

On the same day the Minister for Foreign Affairs also imposed new targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against three 'leaders' from separatist-controlled parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine following so-called elections in November 2018.

South Sudan sanctions

On 12 February 2019, Australia introduced an arms embargo in relation to South Sudan to implement its international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2428 (2018) (UNSCR 2428). UNSCR 2428 was adopted in the context of continued hostilities and violations of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict of the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACOH) and the Khartoum Declaration. It requires all Member States to implement an arms embargo in relation to South Sudan.

Eritrea sanctions

On 14 November 2018, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2444, which lifted sanctions on Eritrea. The Charter of the United Nations (Sanctions—Eritrea) Regulations 2010 have therefore now expired. Permits will no longer be required for activities under these regulations.

Australia's sanctions on North Korea

On 8 December 2018 the Government amended the Charter of the United Nations (Sanctions – Democratic People's republic of Korea) Regulations 2008 to give effect to certain United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions relating to North Korea. The regulations give authority to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to make a notifiable instrument requiring that a vessel be prohibited from being registered in, or if already registered removed from, Australia's shipping registers where this is required by UNSC resolutions. They also introduce prohibitions on the provision of classification services, insurance services and reinsurance services to DPRK-related vessels whose registration has been cancelled.

Mali sanctions

On 28 November 2018, Australia introduced targeted financial sanctions in relation to Mali to implement its international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2374 (UNSCR 2374). UNSCR 2374 allows the Mali Sanctions Committee to designate persons or entities who are responsible for, or complicit in, or who have engaged in, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security or stability of Mali.

New listings for Myanmar

In October 2018, the Minister for Foreign Affairs imposed new targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on members of the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw), in response to the release of the full report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which documented human rights abuses committed primarily by Myanmar’s military against ethnic minorities.

Listings pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001)

The Australian Government has listed Abraham Succarieh and renewed the listing of Mostafa Mahamed, also known as Mostafa Farag, for counter-terrorism targeted financial sanctions. These listings implement Australia's obligations under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1373 (2001) to suppress the financing of terrorism. The listings make it an offence to use or deal with the assets of, or to make an asset available to, Succarieh and Mahamed.

Succarieh and Mahamed are currently believed to be in Syria. Mahamed has occupied a senior leadership position in Jabhat al-Nusra (JaN), also known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which is a specified as a terrorist organisation under Australia's Criminal Code and is listed for targeted financial sanctions in Australia. Mahamed is alleged to have recruited Australians to fight for JaN and solicited funds to finance JaN's terrorist activities. Succarieh is alleged to be a member of JaN.

Iran sanctions

On 8 May 2018 the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action (JCPOA) in which parties agreed to terminate a range of sanctions against Iran in recognition of reforms to its nuclear program. Australia’s sanctions laws against Iran are not affected by the United States’ decision to withdraw from the JCPOA or to re-impose nuclear related domestic sanctions against Iran. We nonetheless encourage Australian businesses to examine and take legal advice on implications of re-established sanctions by the United States.